Roswell Hornets end season defeating Walton 28, 24

ROSWELL, Ga. – The Roswell Hornets saved their best for last in 2012, defeating playoff-bound Walton 28-24 in the regular season finale last Friday to finish with a 3-7 record.

The Hornets won two of their last three games, and gave region champion Lassiter its toughest game in the region the week prior to the win over Walton.

Roswell trailed 21-7 at the half against the Raiders, but scored three touchdowns in three-and-a-half minutes in the third quarter. Then they held off a Walton threat to finish 2-5 in region play.

A 50-yard pass from Ryan Monty to Bennett Barton broke a 21-21 tie. The catch was part of a record-setting night for the senior Roswell receiver, who had five receptions for 232 yards, including an 85-yard catch for Roswell’s first score.

Monty passed for 252 yards, with Barton accounting for all but 20 of that total as the pair seemed to play pitch and catch at will against the Raiders.

Mechane Slade, who had stepped in for the injured starting tailback Andrew Kwateng, cut the Hornets’ deficit to 21-14 on a 49-yard run in the third period, and Roswell tied the game on a 23-yard interception return by Grant Beidel.

The Raiders threatened to tie the game, driving inside the Roswell 5, but a penalty forced a field goal attempt.

“That was a perfect way to end it,” Roswell coach Justin Sanderson said. “It took some of the sting off our year. It felt like we won a playoff game.”